What is this, animal poo? TMI pic alert

[Flowerfairy101]

Recently have had this all over my patio. Looks like seaweed! I used to see it in my horse's field too. Any ideas what it is?

I think it could be some sort of slime mould.

Not a clue but I’m intrigued.

I know parasitic poo can look green and slimy. So my guess is whatever animal that has come out of has a lot of intestinal parasites.

That's a fungus

Interesting! The only reason I thought animal poo is it appears literally overnight and a friend once told me it was mink poo but I'm a bit unconvinced by that.

Almost certainly a slime mould as @EndlessMagpies says…the linear pattern is classic, fascinating things (even if initially they look a bit revolting!)

It is really interesting, springs up in great big clumps. Mainly in the cracks between the patio slabs so I suppose more evidence its mould.

Isn’t it fox poo?

Another vote for slime mould. Amazing stuff but not what you want on your bare feet 😁

@Flowerfairy101 check out an article called Vive le blob at BBC Science Focus magazine - it follows the cracks because it can somehow “think”, scientists have even made mazes for them!

Yes, I think that scientists used to classify it as a fungus, but they now believe it is an intermediate between plants and animals as it seems to be able to think for itself in some bizarre way.

@EndlessMagpies this sounds like the start of a budget horror film.

'The Blob'

It's been done already - twice!! In1958 and 1988.